David Cameron: ‘No guarantee’ Chesterfield will still get £180m of European funding after Brexit

David Cameron.

Published:12:58Thursday 30 June 2016

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Prime minister David Cameron has said he cannot guarantee Chesterfield will still receive £180m of planned EU funding over the next four years following the Brexit vote.

Mr Cameron told Parliament that only in time will it be clear how such planned funding is affected, so he couldn’t be clear on what will happen to cash currently earmarked for the Sheffield City Region.

His comments came in response to a question from Sheffield Central MP Paul Blomfield.

Mr Blomfield said: “Sheffield City Region was set to receive £180m in European structural funds through to 2020. Much of that money is now at risk.

“Those leading the Leave campaign did give guarantees that no area and no sector would lose out as a result of Brexit. We now know that those promises were worthless. But will the Prime Minister join with me in urging his successor to ensure that Sheffield City Region is compensated by the UK Government for every pound of funding lost as a result of last Thursday’s decision?”

Speaking after the exchange, Mr Blomfield said Leave campaigners needed to be held to account over the promises they had made about funding.

“I campaigned strongly for us to remain part of the European Union because I know how much South Yorkshire has benefited from European funding,” he said.

“EU structural funds alone have provided more than £1billion and transformed our communities over the last 15 years.

“The Leave campaign made promises about matching the future funding that was due from the EU. I will hold them to account.

“This funding is worth as much as the region’s devolution deal. People will absolutely not accept the Government giving with one hand and taking with the other.

“The Leave campaign’s promises on NHS funding are already unravelling. I will not let them get away with duping people.”

The Sheffield City Region has previously said the £180m EU funding programme would be spent on projects designed to enhance economic growth, create high-quality jobs and boost skills training.

Spending priorities included tackling youth unemployment and providing funding to support the work of small and medium-sized businesses.